Chapter 38: Emma Elceser
Pleasant Valley senior Emma Elceser will be attending the University of Iowa where she plans to major in therapeutic recreation with minors is Spanish and Psychology. With her education, Elceser plans to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. Looking back on her four years of high school, Elceser has plenty of happy memories and lasting relationships that she will cherish moving forward.
Elceser has her mom to thank for many of her high school memories. A consistent face on Pleasant Valley’s cheer team, Elceser has been cheering since her freshman year when she first picked up the sport. “I actually didn’t want to try it out originally, but my mom told me to I had to so I could use the skills I learned from doing gymnastics for so many years,” Elceser said. “Of course, she was right, I grew to love gymnastics.” As a longtime gymnast, Elceser was determined to make her transition successfully. After a few months, Elceser made varsity at just her second try-out and has never looked back.
Her mother is not the only influential family member in Elceser’s life. Her older sister, Abby, has always been someone Elceser looked up to. Abby is the athlete of the family, Elceser says, and she loved watching her compete; whether it was athletics or a friendly game of Super Mario Bros between Abby and Elceser’s oldest sister, Olivia. “Growing up, I always looked up to my older sister, Abby,” Elceser said. “She was good at everything she tried and had so many friends, all I wanted was to be just like her when I grew up.”
Despite her love for cheering, Elceser says her favorite experience has been her involvement in Sparkles. The Sparkle Effect, which garnered national media attention back in 2009, is a cheer-leading squad specifically for students with disabilities. The same way it touched hearts all across the nation after it was featured on Oprah and People Magazine, the Sparkles have touched Elceser the same way. She says the past four years with this squad have taught her more than she could have possibly imagined. “Although these students have been given obstacles that I could not imagine having myself, they are some of the happiest people I have ever met in my life,” Elceser reflects. “They have taught me to be happy in every situation, regardless of what other people may think of it.” This program has provided her with not only a welcoming group of friends, but with relationships she will hold onto for years to come.
When she is not cheering Spartan Nation to victory or spending time with Sparkles, Elceser loves to spend time with her dogs. She has had a total of seven dogs in her life. Sugar, a twelve year old golden retriever, Ginger, a four year old golden retriever, and Ruby, a two year old mini goldendoodle are her current band of furry friends. “You could easily say I’m a dog person,” Elceser said. “I take a nap with one of my dogs at least once weekly and while at home, I’m rarely seen not petting at least on of them.”